Blog Tour: Meet Me on the Paisley Roof (Guest Post)

Welcome to today’s stop on the tour for Meet Me on the Paisley Roof by Murray Tillman. This tour is brought to you by Tribute Books.

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A Christian Theme in Meet Me on the Paisley Roof

By Murray Tillman

Before buying a book, as many consumers do, I look for reviews.  I have been surprised to find that most reviewers of fiction books say little or nothing about the theme of the story.  That’s understandable because the theme forces us to look at the story at its most abstract level.  For me, theme is a one-sentence statement, simple or complex, that expresses the major idea present throughout the story linked to its major events.

The story in Meet Me on the Paisley Roof is about teenage survival, survival in an urban Southern town in the 1950s.  The characters are learning to deal with the “what happens now” phase when childhood is over and the adult world seems no longer able to provide satisfactory answers.  Challenges come from feelings within, which reach new levels of intensity, and demands from the outside.  Trussell, the sixteen-year-old narrator of the story, chooses to move toward the joy in his life, allowing a zany and humorous tale to unfold.

Here is how I would express the book’s theme:  Teens can survive and thrive if they face the challenges directly, learn from their mistakes as well as from wise counselors, and seek their own path.  This may not be the only theme or the only way to express the theme of the book.  I do think, however, that the scenes in the story point in that direction.

When I first wrote this theme down, after the book was long published, I thought the phrase “seek your own path” sounded familiar.  Then, I remembered.  From the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us to “… seek, and ye shall find.”  But Jesus said more than that.  The complete statement (Matthew 7:7-8) reads:  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

I don’t know of more optimistic words that people facing a major problem without any sort of plan could hear.  But to believe it and act accordingly, now there is real hope.  Yes, you can write that novel!  Or open that new business!  Or find that soul mate!  How?  Ask for guidance.  Seek ways, and it will happen.  Knock and doors will open.

To be sure, the theme of Meet Me on the Paisley Roof only partially addresses the advice that Jesus gives us.  It does not address prayer, for example, which Jesus mentioned first.  While for some Christians this might seem to be an omission, especially considering the problems characters were having in this story, the suggestion to “… seek, and ye shall find” is still a very powerful idea for a writer to explore.

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Thank you so much, Murray!

About Murray Tillman

Murray Tillman is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia and formerly Chair of the Department of Instructional Technology in the College of Education. He has authored several texts that assist teachers in using instructional design tools and has developed training manuals and courses for businesses and human service agents. Murray is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Georgia. Meet Me on the Paisley Roof is his debut novel.

Murray Tillman can be found on Facebook.

About Meet Me on the Paisley Roof

Trussell Jones has a problem. He is crazy in love with a beautiful girl named Ellen. The problem? He has no car. His stepmother, who believes that she is spiritually connected to Queen Victoria, won’t let him drive. Furthermore, she is afraid Trussell is trying to kill her. Not to be overlooked is the fact that Trussell is being pursued by a gang of armed redneck motorcycle hoods, while his neighbors are preoccupied with changing visions of St. Francis. Just another heartwarming tale of a boy in love with a girl? Hardly.

This delightfully quixotic coming-of-age story, set in Columbus, Georgia in the 1950s, truly has something to shock and beguile even the most jaded reader. Its irreverent protagonist will take you on a road trip of hits, near misses, twists, and sudden turns that ll set you on your ear. You ll be unable to put the book down, until you reach its charming yet totally unpredictable conclusion.

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Links to buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | MyBookOrders.com

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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